The Los Angeles Kings made history Wednesday when they rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat the New York Rangers 3-2 in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final at Staples Center.
Not only did the Kings grab the lead in the series, they became the 14th team this spring to rally from a multiple-goal deficit to win, the most in one playoff year. The Kings have accounted for the three most recent comebacks; they overcame a pair of two-goal deficits in the Western Conference Final against the Chicago Blackhawks, including a 2-0 hole in their 5-4 overtime victory in Game 7.
Overall, this was the Kings' fourth multiple-goal comeback victory this spring, the most by any team since the Philadelphia Flyers had five in 1987.
The Kings' victory was the seventh by a home team in the past 27 OT games in the Final, dating to 1990, and their first at Staples Center since they beat the Colorado Avalanche in double overtime on May 6, 2001, in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
It was also the 10th victory by a home team in the 24 overtime games played this spring.
This was the third consecutive year in which Game 1 of the Final went to overtime. The Kings won 2-1 on the road against the New Jersey Devils in 2012, and the Blackhawks overcame a 2-0 deficit to beat the Boston Bruins 3-2 in triple overtime last year.
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